Trap-Neuter-Return consists of the following steps:Trap: Humanely trap the cats in a cat colony.Neuter:Transport the trapped cats to a veterinarian to be spayed or neutered, vaccinated and eartipped.Return:Return the cats to their original outdoor homes.

Trap-Neuter-Return begins with the humane trapping of community (feral) cats. They are taken (in the trap) to a spay/neuter location for surgery. A good TNR program includes rabies vaccinations and vaccinations for other diseases such as feline panleukopenia. Cats are then marked by eartipping by removing a small amount of the tip of the left ear. Eartipping easily identifies community cats as already neutered/spayed and vaccinated and can spare them future unnecessary trappings and surgery.

Once sterilized they are placed back in the traps and allowed to recover from surgery. They are generally monitored and cared for in a trap, in a temperature controlled location, inside a home or warm building, with food and water. Under normal circumstances, cats should have at least 24 hours of recovery time before returning to their outdoor home once they are awake, alert, and do not require further medical attention. Some cats may require a more extended recovery time.

There are many TNR instructions and resources available through various animal organizations.Check out the following websites for handbooks, videos and great tips about TNR for cats: